Jan 3, 2021 Washington Football Team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 making them NFC East champions. It capped the most tumultuous season in franchise history. Dealing with the pandemic was only one hurdle for the team. They also went through a team name change, exposure of sexual misconduct in management, a cancer diagnosis for the head coach, cutting their first round pick quarterback, not to mention having to play 4 different QBs.

WFT finished with a record of 7-9. Unusual for a playoff team. Seven reminds us that God’s going to complete what He started in this nation. Nine tells us that judgement is coming for those on the losing end. Their first and seventh (last) win were against Philadelphia where massive voter fraud took place. God is saying DC/America will overcome the fraud. In this case the Philadelphia Eagles represent the false prophets of Baal or media declaring victory where there is none.

The Giants were the only team they did not have a win against in their division, but indirectly they did overcome them by beating the Eagles. If WFT had lost the Giants would have won the division. The “Giants in the land” have won some battles but in the end they lose the war.

WFT’s signature win was against a then unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers team. A surprising victory over “Steelers” is happening. It was one of three wins over Pennsylvania teams. God is orchestrating victory in that pivotal state.

Four times in the 2020 season WFT scored 20 points. Three times their opponents scored 20 for a total of seven 20 scores. God is perfecting and completing his agenda for 2020 no matter what wins and losses have happened.

Back to the score of last nights game. I looked up several verses before I landed on 2 Chronicles 20:14-22. This is the verse and passage for the year that we just completed and going forward.

“the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:14-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This passage is centered around the 20:20 verse “believe the word of the prophets and you will prosper.” The prophet is Jehaziel in this case. His lineage is given after the Spirit of the Lord came on him. Their names give us a roadmap of what God is doing in our midst.

Beheld of God – Jehaziel; Jehovah remembers – Zechariah; Jehovah built – Beniah; Jehovah sweeps away – Jeiel; gift of Jehovah – Mattaniah.

He is looking for a people that know God is enamored with them. God is remembering his people and building a church nothing can defeat. He is sweeping away the enemy and delivering a gift to us which I believe is the promise of his glory filling the earth like never before.

This passage also reminds us that the battle is the Lord’s. We do not have to fight but stand firm and see God’s salvation.

Verse 21 is this years declaration: give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever.

We get a sneak peak into next year with verse 22: the Lord set an an ambush against the enemy and they were routed. Complete victory is coming.

Plax is back. Or at least he is on his way. For those unfamiliar with the story of the Virginia Beach native here’s a recap. (FYI: Our own Service Tech Shalon Haith went to school with Burress and used to drive him around and let Plax borrow his track shoes.)

Firstly, if you’re are unfamiliar watch some football. Burress is a former Super Bowl champion NFL wide receiver. He was actually one of the top players at his position. At 6′ 5″ 230 lbs he was difficult for any defensive back to cover. Thus ends the Mel Kiper portion of the post.

Within a year of his victory in the Super Bowl, Burress accidentally shot himself at a New York City nightclub. Shooting yourself while it is dumb is not illegal. Also, being at a nightclub is not a illegal. But criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment are illegal … off to jail for Plax.

At the height of his career, he was sentenced to two years in prison. Not an ideal situation for someone that relies on the body to make their living. Everyone is subject to what time does to the body and doing time does not help. While in the Heartbreak Hotel, he’s been staying in shape, catching balls from his inmates and doing what he can to get back to his former glory.

Sometimes we have to go Plaxico Burress and get back in the game ourselves. Hopefully you haven’t shot yourself literally but we’ve all shot ourselves in the foot at one time or another. The point is to not let it take you down for good. Maybe you’ve let a dream or idea go to the wayside because circumstances have not been favorable. It’s time to catch some balls from your inmates.

What does that look like? It’s simply doing whatever is in front of you. One step at time on your bullet riddled foot. Burress obviously could not show up at the Giants practices to get ready for the next NFL season. He could ask his cellmate to throw him some quick hitches, though. What is in your hands right now that can help you get back in the game? It may be a small step, but it must be taken to revive your dream.

Burress is basically the same age as I am. Upon hearing about his desire to get back in the game I was somewhat cynical. Hey, I’m NFL old. The more I thought about it the more I realized that he should go for the glory. Don’t let people like me tear down your dream. Not everyone will have the same passion about your dreams as you. That is to be expected because they are yours. Own it and don’t let the naysayers or haters, in today’s hip vernacular, pull you down. Guard who you share your dreams with. Make sure they are individuals that are for your success.

Your dream is as unique as you are. While we can be inspired by the lives of others, there is no need to copy them verbatim. Mimicking someone else will only bring frustration because you cannot do them as well as they can. In turn they could never do you nearly as well as you. Being successful at who you are will bring you satisfaction.

A wise man in the Bible said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It will kill you not to dream big dreams and have a great vision for your career, your family and your life. It may not be a physical death (at least not immediately) but it can mean a walking dead life. Don’t be a zombie. I heard zombies don’t dream. I think mostly because they’re too busy not sleeping and eating brains.

Just like Plax, we’ve all made mistakes we wished we had not, but let’s face it, we’re humans. Mistakes are a given. Getting back into the game is not a given, but it is a necessity.